What is one question you must ask at all job interviews?

2016-06-11T10:13:45-04:00

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Jun 11 at 2016 10:24 AM

2016-06-11T10:24:55-04:00

For me it was "Tell me about yourself" right at the start of the interview. Its amazing how many people can't do that. Obviously since someone was on a job interview I was expecting to hear about their work related accomplishments. However more times than not I'd hear about family, love life, favorite sports teams, etc., etc. If the individual couldn't succinctly tell me about his work experience and performance it was generally an interview that ended quickly.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 11 at 2016 10:39 AM

2016-06-11T10:39:15-04:00

When I was the interviewee, I'd ask two questions. What are the qualities that makes this firm great and what are the qualities that drag the firm down. Based on that, my following responses would demonstrate how I'd enhance the first and tamp down the second.

When I'm doing the interviewing, I'd flip it a bit to what excites you and what bothers you. Answers there tend to point to levels of drive, flexibility, or the opposite. "Nothing bothers me" is a huge red flag.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2016 10:55 AM

2016-06-11T10:55:41-04:00

For me a telling question to ask would be, "What is your greatest asset, and your greatest weakness?"

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jun 11 at 2016 11:01 AM

2016-06-11T11:01:42-04:00

When can I start? Be excited. There are plenty of other applicants. They all have good credentials, background, training, all that. How can you stand out? Be excited, enthusiastic. Most are afraid to ask this simple question and the hiring manager is most likely still looking because something is missing in the others. Enthusiasm may be it.

Response by PO3 Leroy Leftwich made Jun 11 at 2016 11:44 AM

2016-06-11T11:44:47-04:00

What time do I start?

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2016 12:05 PM

2016-06-11T12:05:25-04:00

Not what I needed to ask, but a question I always asked when I interviewed others for a job.

What is the main reason I should not choose you for this position. The answer didn't matter much what mattered was how the candidate answered it.

Best interview sequence.

Me: Why do you want this job? He: I need the money to pay my fine. Me: Why do you have a fine? He:For assault and battery. Me: What did you do? He: I hit my boss with a baseball bat.

I did give him an A for honesty. But he was not hired.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2016 1:38 PM

2016-06-11T13:38:30-04:00

If you are referring to the potential employee... Ask, what relationships should be focused on to succeed over the first 6 months.

Response by Lt Col Timothy Parker, DBA made Jun 11 at 2016 1:46 PM

2016-06-11T13:46:30-04:00

"Can I meet my potential new boss?". An employee's boss is the single most important factor in the employee's success (people join organizations, but they leave their boss). You can't always tell what sort of leader the boss will be, but you might get a hint. For example, I was hired for a high-level job under one leader who I enjoyed. He left fairly soon and I ended up working for one of the worse bosses in my career. I eventually left the organization.

Just my humble opinion.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Jun 11 at 2016 2:36 PM

2016-06-11T14:36:09-04:00

As the applicant? I always ask a (usually more tactful) version of: why should I come work for this organization?

Response by CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR made Jun 11 at 2016 4:39 PM

2016-06-11T16:39:25-04:00

For me Dylan Raymond and all candidates the most important question that absolutely must be asked is for the job.....I seen a lot of people do a bang up job on interviews and never ask for the job. Even if you are not interested get in the habit of closing the deal. So an example:

Wow I am excited about the opportunity I really see myself developing in this role and positively adding value to the company bottomline. I am interested in the role and being selected to fill the role.....wait for it....wait for it

What is the next step in the hiring process for me?

Response by LT Erik Frederick made Jun 11 at 2016 5:03 PM

2016-06-11T17:03:10-04:00

As an interviewer, I always appreciated questions that were sincerely curious about an aspect of the business or industry. This also demonstrates you've done your homework. Another great question is centers around what problems you can help solve or simply, what do "A" players at the organization do differently, etc.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Jun 11 at 2016 5:55 PM

2016-06-11T17:55:28-04:00

What is the 5 year outlook of your company?

It helps me see if the company is growing, expanding, developing a new product, new branch, re-inventing themselves, or a sinking ship.

Response by TSgt Alex Benningfield made Jun 11 at 2016 10:57 PM

2016-06-11T22:57:51-04:00

As weird as it sounds...ask for the job. As a recruiter we are trained to as for the commitment and the same is true for the job. If you don't as/close the deal you leave it open for the interviewer to close the topic or not. Take control of go for it. I promise the first few times will seem awkward but make it your own statement as part of a regular conversation. For instance if you are assumptive you could ask "what is stopping me from working here tomorrow?" or you can go a more subtle approach. "What is the next step in the hiring process and when can I expect to hear back from you."

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Nov 23 at 2016 10:38 AM

2016-11-23T10:38:33-05:00

The ONE question? Hmm...can't say that I have a single, "golden" question.

That said, I have been known to ask as many if not more questions of my interviewer as he/she did me. Employment is a two way negotiated deal. Not sure why some people don't seem to see it that way. I want to know more about the people I'm selling my services to and if it's where I want to be.

What are some of the questions I have asked or would ask again depending on the situation:

Would you tell me more about your company: what it does, the need it services, its strengths and weaknesses in the market in which is operates?
What is expected in this specific position (Prior to this however I would have done my homework regarding these first two questions, and would merely want for them to expand on that knowledge for me.)?
Tell me about the company culture and values?
What kind of expectations or contributions to you require from employees?
What are the forward looking advancement potentials?
What has been, and is, the company's strategy for growth (revenue, market share, etc.)?
Can you explain the corporate structure, hierarchical, more decentralized by business segment, etc.?
Who reports to me?
Who do I report to?
Is this potion cross-functional between departments or product areas, etc.?
What do you feel my contribution in this position is worth to the company? (Then I counter, because ya know...haggling can be kinda fun. NOT however the 1st question I would ask. Remember, companies are interested in what you can do for them, not the other way around, so "what'll ya gimme"? shouldn't be question #1)